Time: Gazprom launches a "private military organization", is it another "Wagner"?

The Time published a report on the recent announcement in Russia of the establishment of a "private security organization" affiliated to the Russian oil giant "Gazprom" at the beginning of this month.

This American magazine indicated that the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense warned of the move, and considered that it comes within the framework of what it called the "Russian arms race."

The Ukrainian government also warned that this new security organization would be similar to the notorious Russian Wagner Group.

The report indicates that the Russian announcement - which was issued on February 4 about the launch of the new security group - can be interpreted differently from what Kiev went to, as Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed on the 7th of the same month a decision allowing the establishment of a "private security organization." Based on a law that allows energy companies to create such groups to secure their facilities, he did not sign a decision to establish a "military organization."

So far, nothing is known about this new security organization except for what was stated in the announcement of its establishment decision signed by Mishustin, and the role it may play in Ukraine or outside the borders of Russia is still unknown.

Despite this, a group of Russian energy experts, the magazine quoted their opinions, are divided about this organization and the threat it may pose to the security of Ukraine and other countries of the world.

Why did Gazprom create a security organization?

There were conflicting opinions of the experts - whom the magazine spoke to - about the reasons for a giant oil company to establish a security organization.

One reason, according to Gerhard Mangut, a professor at the University of Innsbruck who studies Russian foreign policy, is that Gazprom, like many energy companies, is building a security organization to protect its pipelines.

Mangut says that securing energy pipelines and oil and gas extraction sites makes sense during wars, when they are more vulnerable to acts of sabotage.

Emily Holland, assistant professor at the Institute for Russian Naval Studies at the US Naval War College, also indicated that Gazprom is focusing its attention on natural resources in the Arctic, which has become especially important with the shift of Russian economic interests towards business with Asian countries.

In reference to the fact that the move to establish a security organization affiliated with Gazprom is justified, the magazine quotes Holland as saying that the Arctic is witnessing rapid development in terms of energy infrastructure and exploration, and the military facilities that were established in it belonging to many countries, including China.

The magazine's report refers to another opinion of experts who believe that Gazprom may build a security organization to enhance Russian military power, and that the company's goals go beyond the field of gas and the protection of its facilities.

Among those experts is Dr. Agnia Grigas - fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center and author of "The New Geopolitics of Natural Gas" - who says that Gazprom's goals are not limited to gas trade, as it must support the interests of the Russian Federation and preserve the regime of President Vladimir Putin. and support it.

"I think Putin has made it clear that this is primarily a war for the survival of his regime, and that he is not willing to back down," Grigas added.

For her part, Margarita Balmaceda, a professor at Seton Hall University, believes that the war in Ukraine has made the Russian government desperate to find new ways to recruit more soldiers, and in this context it may seek to use the oil and gas workforce in the military field.

Balmaceda believes that the decision to establish the new security organization may not have come from the Kremlin alone, and it is likely that it was taken by Gazprom leaders, including CEO Alexei Miller, as a courtesy to Putin, seeking to expand their powers in the post-war period.

It also says, "These private military companies should be understood in the context of the battle for power that is now taking place in Russia, it is (also) about the benefits or services that (Putin) can give."

Time indicated - in its report - that it contacted Gazprom to comment on the decision to establish a private security organization, but the magazine did not receive any response from the company.